Heart - Devils Delight (live 1978)

Song #2 from Largo 1978.The story behind Devils Delight by Ann Wilson.Not all of our songs have been written in the country or on beach retreats. Few people know it, but San Francisco was the scene of a lot of our past inspirations. As you know, it's a very very cultured city, world famous for its beauty... its music, theater, bells, beads, streetcars, and most of all, its FOOD.

Now, Nancy, Sue, and I love a good meal just like we love a good song, and this particular evening we'd just returned to our hotel after an incredible dinner out in the city of Love.

The guitars smiled as we entered. "How was dinner?" they inquired.

"Great! Just Great!" We answered "...but too bad about our diets. We sure blew them away tonight!"

The guitars were in a good mood that night and chortled, "Oh that's O.K. once in a while. Just get to work!"

It wasn't long before our happy singing and strumming was interrupted by a knock at the door. Being the brave one, I answered, while the other two pretended to sing hymns in the background (Sometimes hotels don't take kindly to Rock 'n Roll being played in the rooms). Anyway... this was not a noise complaint at our door, but a special gift from management. They had broken our fake name code and realized we were on the premises. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the tray they'd sent. It was monstrous and completely covered with a white linen cloth. The card read:

"Welcome to San Francisco!
We're glad you chose the Mark Hopkins.
Here is the chef's special gift to you.
Thank you for the wonderful music over the years.
Bon Apetit!
The Management"

"But what is the glorious gift?" I asked of the waiter who was hidden behind the great white linen mountain.

He didn't answer.

"S'cuse me sir..." I tried to peek over the top. "What is this gift, please sir?"

Despite my manners, he was silent (either foreign or listening to his walkman). I walked around to his side but spotted no headphones. He was struggling under the weight of the gift, though, so I motioned him into the sanctuary where he set down his load.

Nancy and Sue read the card and, just like me, asked the little man what lay beneath this linen of mystery. He blessed them with his silence, too, and we all realized that our waiter was very dear... but non-english speaking.

All three of us love a good communication breakthrough and started making stabs at pigeon English.

"Wot eez these geeft? Wot eez these geeft?" Nancy sez. No Answer.

Sue tried next. "Was ist das?"

Nothing

Finally, hand motions seemed the only way. I pointed to the tray and shrugged repeatedly until he seemed to understand what we were asking. With a grand flourish he swept the linen away revealing three huge gorgeous pieces of rich Devil's food cake positively dripping with fresh, cool, sweet, whipped cream.

Three jaws dropped. Simultaneously, three diets lay unconscious on the rug. Three pairs of hungry, adoring eyes caressed the dessert. A card from the management lay on each plate; "Devils Food Delight. Enjoy"

"Devil Delight" beamed the little man. His grin was so huge that his eyes nearly disappeared into his cheeks.

We thanked him and after much smiling and nodding, we worked him out the door. Finally alone with our delight, we put the guitars in the closet to shut them up, promising to let them out in a little while. After a little devil delight, we did.

See you next time Heart people.

Love,

Ann

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Heart
• Ann
• Nancy
• Wilson
• Classy
• Rock
• Howard
• Leese
• Michael
• Deroiser
• Roger
• Fisher

[Freestate59]

I was at this show at the old Cap Center. Don't remember much, just that it kicked ass.

[lovesheart]

@Freestate59 Cool,Lucky guy

[dreamzeppelinarcher]

That was THE greatest story I have heard! LOL. I never would have thought this song was named after FOOD, of all the things, FOOD. That freaking rocks. Ann is such an elaborate story teller and an amazing vocalist. She is my idol, so is Nancy!

[lovesheart]

Yes Annie is a charmer! : )

[funnyhaha07]

God I love her...then and now!!! Thanks for uploading this one lovesheart! Do you know anything about the inspiration for these lyrics?

[lovesheart]

I posted the story of this one,have a look.

[robbowen04]

Im so happy to see others who love Heart as much as I do. I've been listening to them since I was 12 in 1976. I have all their stuff (recordings) but I look forward to youtube and what you, lovesheart, has posted today. Please don't stop! Thanks again.

[clips4u2006]

I'm 47, I remember listening to Heart back in 75 in clear lake ca. on my friends stereo. Truely one of the greatest American rock bands. Very underrated. I loved the girls..talent beyond and beautiful...and Rodger Fischer was a MAJOR influence on my playing.

[Blues353]

If you are a Heart fan the Album 'Magazine" has a few gems and this song is one. Heart inspired me to learn guitar. Thanks Heart!

[heart6056]

Hot song. Really cool story behind it. Love :)

[grinderman77]

Loved that song the very first time I heard it in the 70s. It had a really cool vibe and an amazing "love" sound.

I still play my old vinyls from time to time and that song often surfaces from my old Heart collection.

Too bad they fell into a terrible "pop" phase in the 80s. They ended up annoying a lot of old fans in exchange for little screaming girls who had no idea what they previously represented. I hope the zeros on the pay check were worth it.

Grinderman

[lovesheart]

@Jev414 Yes,there is always a little showmanship to make these things more interesting.Also,I believe it was pr skills used to Vito any references and rumors of Satanic implication.

[tjfreak]

I always dug that dry / tom, kinda sound he got out of his snare..and the way it meshed with the sound edges....

[judasplow25]

WOW! this is my favorite version of this awesome song. The guitarists were really in the zone. Almost spiritual.

[dreamzeppelinarcher]

I saw Heart June 13th in Columbus, Ohio. I almost passed out and cried. I screamed SOOOO much. It was the greatest. Great sound!